In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Eli Weber, CEO of Weber Media and host of the Podsitivity Podcast, to talk about building a social media business from scratch, the mindset behind entrepreneurship, and how content can turn into real revenue.

Eli Weber is the founder of Weber Media, a social media marketing company that helps businesses maximize the potential of social media, content creation, and personal branding to generate real profits. What started as helping a musician manage social media accounts eventually turned into a growing agency managing multiple brands and business profiles.

Before entrepreneurship, Eli worked in construction management, overseeing hundreds of workers and long commutes every day. But he quickly realized that a traditional job wasn’t fulfilling the life he wanted to build. That realization pushed him to explore online business, social media marketing, and digital entrepreneurship, eventually launching Weber Media.

In this conversation, Eli shares how he landed his first client, what he learned about the Instagram algorithm, LinkedIn growth, and modern social media strategy, and why social media today is no longer just about followers — it’s about interest-based content that platforms distribute to the right audience.

We also dive into the mindset required to build a business: staying positive, taking responsibility for outcomes, handling rejection, and learning not to take every client decision personally.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, building a social media agency, content marketing, personal branding, or starting an online business, this episode is packed with insights that will help you think differently about opportunity and growth.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Eli Weber built a social media marketing business from scratch◼️ The mindset shift that pushed him toward entrepreneurship◼️ His early career managing construction teams◼️ Landing the first paying client for Weber Media◼️ How the Instagram and LinkedIn algorithms work today◼️ Why social media is now “interest media” instead of follower media◼️ The difference between branding, marketing, and advertising◼️ The emotional challenges of running a business◼️ Why anyone can start a side hustle or online business today◼️ How content creation can generate real business opportunities

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 The Positivity Principle4:26 From Hardhat to Hustle — The Construction Years25:25 What Social Media Actually Is (And What It Isn't)28:16 The Business of Storytelling — Real Clients, Real Results42:05 Building a Team, Setting Boundaries, and Getting Out of Your Own Way47:28 Trust the Process — Lessons, Mindset & What He'd Do Differently

🔗 Connect with Eli WeberFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellin.web/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-weber1

🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by:

Dabbl

Dabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off at

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United Refuah

United Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.

https://unitedrefuahhs.org/

Blackbird Recruiting

Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Raps — the Rabbi of Social Media — who has built a community of 2M+ followers by bringing Torah, confidence, and unapologetic Jewish identity to the digital world.

What started as simply sharing thoughts online turned into a global platform. We talk about what really happens when a Rabbi goes viral — the backlash, the hate, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with millions of people watching. Rabbi Raps opens up about confronting antisemitism head-on, staying authentic in an algorithm-driven world, and why purpose always matters more than popularity.

From Torah to TikTok, from raising proud Jewish kids to having real conversations about the Noahide movement, this episode goes far beyond social media strategy. It’s about courage. Identity. Leadership. And what it truly takes to show up boldly when the world would rather you stay quiet.

If you’re building something online — or trying to lead with more confidence in your own life — this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Rabbi Raps built 2M+ followers without chasing trends◼️ The viral moment that changed everything◼️ Dealing with hate, backlash, and public criticism◼️ Faith vs. algorithms — and staying real online◼️ Addressing antisemitism on a massive platform◼️ The responsibility that comes with influence◼️ Raising confident Jewish kids in today’s climate◼️ The Noahide movement and global Torah conversations◼️ The emotional cost of visibility◼️ Why purpose beats popularity every time◼️ The future of Jewish leadership in the digital age

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 From Atlantic City to Rabbi Raps

1:53 From Shlichus to Running a Community

10:08 Building Shuls & Community Growth

15:13 When Social Media Changed Everything

17:02 Going Viral, Algorithms & Menorah Moments

18:46 Humans for Noah & The 7 Laws

23:34 Hate, Authenticity & Finding Your Voice

27:43 Raising Confident Jewish Kids

34:05 Purpose, Tafkid & Showing Up Online

38:35 Confidence, Cameras & Fear of Being Seen

🔗 Connect with Rabbi RapsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiraps/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraps?lang=en

🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by:

Dabbl

Dabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off at

https://justdabbl.com/

United Refuah

United Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.

https://unitedrefuahhs.org/

Blackbird Recruiting

Hiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.

Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer—a prolific Jewish author, Torah educator, and former music director who has quietly built a decades-long career at the intersection of faith, creativity, and impact.

Rabbi Seltzer shares his journey from writing his first book by hand on a bus at 23 to publishing over 56 books, including Torah works that sold 70,000+ copies worldwide. He opens up about the realities of the publishing world, why novels rarely sell, how biographies and Torah books create lasting influence, and what most aspiring writers misunderstand about success.

The conversation also explores his unexpected exit from the Jewish music and choir world, how industry shifts forced hard decisions, and why knowing when to quit can be just as important as knowing how to start. From turning ancient Torah texts into modern movements to offering grounded advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah, this episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, creative discipline, and purpose-driven work.

Whether you’re a writer, educator, creator, or someone navigating career pivots through faith and practicality, this episode delivers lessons that only come from 25 years of doing the work.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ Writing his first book at 23—and why it was written entirely on a bus

◼️ How a single real-life story became a bestselling Jewish novel

◼️ The business reality of publishing: royalties, advances, and distribution

◼️ Why most novels fail—and what actually sells in Jewish publishing

◼️ Turning an out-of-print Torah sefer into a global learning movement

◼️ How storytelling makes Torah accessible to thousands worldwide

◼️ Why passion isn’t enough—and how market awareness shapes success

◼️ Leaving a thriving music and choir career at the right time

◼️ How the Jewish music industry changed—and why CDs ended the model

◼️ Balancing faith, creativity, family, and parnassah

◼️ Advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah

◼️ Why longevity matters more than trends in any creative career

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 From Shabbos Table to a Global Torah Movement

2:56 Writing a First Novel by Hand (And Getting Published)

12:01 The Sefer That Sparked a Worldwide Learning Revolution

21:32 Choirs, Creativity & Walking Away From Music

27:16 Writing for Impact, Not Sales

🔗 Connect with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

LinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/rabbi-nachman-seltzer-a719849

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B086K3HW5P

🔗 Connect with the Host

Tuli Kraus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting

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